Equity Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS)

An Equity Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS) is a type of equity fund and the only mutual fund which qualifies as a tax-saving instrument under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. Like all other mutual funds, it is offered by fund houses (also known as Asset Management Companies).

Key Features of ELSS

An ELSS features a lock-in of 3 years.

An ELSS investment can be started with an investment as low as Rs. 500 using a SIP (Systematic Investment Plan).

Being a market-linked instrument, an ELSS has the potential of giving returns ranging between 11%-15% over 3 years.

Premature or partial withdrawals are not allowed in case of an ELSS.

An ELSS attracts Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) at the rate of 10%. Like all equity funds, a LTCG of up to Rs. 1 lakh per year on an ELSS is exempt from tax.

Tax-Saving Fixed Deposit

Fixed deposits made for a fixed period of 5 years qualify as a tax-saving instrument under Section 80 of the Income Tax Act. It is one of the risk-free investment instruments which comes with assured returns. Tax-saving FDs are offered by public banks, private banks, small finance banks and the Indian Post Office.

Key Features of Tax-Saving Fixed Deposit

They come with a lock-in period of 5 years.

The minimum investment amount for tax-saving FDs starts from Rs. 100, however, it varies from bank to bank.

Tax-saving FDs offer an interest of around 6.50%-8.25% p.a.The rate of interest is higher for senior citizens (aged 60 years and above) generally by around 0.25%-0.50%.

Premature or partial withdrawals for tax-saving FDs are not permitted before the completion of lock-in period of 5 years.

Loans cannot be availed against tax-saving fixed deposit accounts.

TDS is deducted as per applicable tax slab on interest income earned on these accounts.

Public Provident Fund (PPF)

Public Provident Fund (PPF) is an Indian government savings scheme. The interest on the account is set every quarter. PPF comes with zero risk as its interest is paid by the Central Government.

Key Features of Public Provident Fund

PPF has a lock-in period of 15 years.

The minimum investment requirement for PPF is Rs. 500.

The PPF rate for April – June 2019 (Q1 FY 2019-2020) is 8%.

Premature or partial withdrawals can be made after the 5th year.

Loan facility is available against PPF after the 3rd year till the 6th year.